Los Barriles Information

Baja California Sur’s East Cape is not only one of the best places in the world for deep sea fishing, it also appeals to those who seek activity-packed vacations. In addition to the great weather, beautiful scenery, and historic charm the area offers, active visitors can fill their days with snorkeling, kayaking, hiking, mountain bike riding, exploring on ATV’s, wind surfing and a multitude of other water sports that require gentle surf and a strong breeze. Los Barriles is the Kite Surfing Captal of North America, it just does not get any better anywhere. Los Barriles Information is provided as a preliminary introduction to our area.

Los Barriles is a town on the beach located 40 miles north of the San Jose airport and 75 miles south of La Paz, the East Cape is easy to access but away from those highly developed areas. While it is classified as desert (less than 10” of rainfall annually), temperatures generally do not rise above 80º 10 months out of the year. In spite of its perfect climate and setting, the East Cape has maintained a rustic flavor and community feel. We are adding more content and features the Los Barriles Information almost weekly and suggestions are welcomed.

The area is growing at a measured pace; maintaining it’s charm with development that provides a wide variety of tourism opportunities. These are just some of the investment opportunities our office represents. If you’re interested in taking part in the growth of this spectacular area, please ask us about these and other opportunities.

Los Barriles Small Beach town:

All the best that Mexico has to offer comes together in Los Barriles. A combination of superlative weather, natural beauty, culture and slower pace of life make this the perfect place to vacation or retire. You’ll find the basics about the area below but you really must come and experience Los Barriles for yourself. If you like Mexico and are looking for something more personal than the mega-resort feel of Cabo San Lucas, you’ll love the small town atmosphere and sense of community you can find here in Los Barriles. Los Barriles information is available here.

Los Barriles Location:

The Mexican state of Baja California Sur occupies the lower half of the Baja California Peninsula from the 28th parallel to the southern tip or “Land’s End”. It is bordered by the state of Baja California to the north, the Pacific Ocean to the west, and the Gulf of Mexico, or “Sea of Cortez”, to the east. Los Barriles is located on the eastern coast in an area referred to as Cabo Este (East Cape) about halfway between Cabo San Lucas and the charming capital in La Paz. Both those cities host international airports, the nearest (SJD) being less than an hour’s drive from Los Barriles.

Los Barriles Landscape:

The amazing diversity of the landscape has given rise to equally amazing and diverse flora and fauna. Between the rocky coast on the Pacific side and the flat sandy beaches of the Sea of Cortez, you’ll find Cardón filled deserts, ancient mango groves, and conifer covered mountain ranges. It is estimated that there are over 125 species of plants found only in this region. This area is extremely popular with bird watchers who seek outour 6 endemic species including the adorable Cape Pygmy Owl.

Los Barriles The Sea Around Us:

The Pacific Ocean and the Sea of Cortez, these two great bodies of water provide constant access to a wide array of sea life. Jacques Cousteau called the Sea of Cortez the “aquarium of the world.” Whale watching is popular here and while you’re on the water you are also likely to see manta rays, sea turtles, dolphins, and whale sharks. We welcome your fish pictures and stories of the sea, which we will add to Los Barriles information.

Los Barriles Weather:

With less than 10” of rain a year, Los Barriles easily qualifies as desert. However, during the fall it is not uncommon to get a good downpour that truly brings the desert to life. Temperatures average between 63º and 84º Fahrenheit making it comfortable year-round. We do experience a hurricane from time to time and precautions like hurricane screens should be taken during late October and September. Many residents use this time of year to visit family and friends in the U.S.

Los Barriles Population:

The population of the entire state is under 600,000, the largest city being La Paz. Cabo San Lucas and San Jose del Cabo together are referred to Los Cabos) are the second largest concentration with many part-time foreign residents. Los Barriles has a population of roughly 5,000 about half of which are locals and half expatriates here full or part time.

Many ex-pats are active in the local community sponsoring extra curricular activities, scholarship programs or participating in one of the local churches. English is commonly spoken but there are lots of opportunities to learn the local language with classes and private tutors.

Los Barriles Utilities:

Electricity is reliably provided by the municipality at a very reasonable rate. Most properties also receive water from the municipality at a reasonable rate though it is a good idea to install some type of filtration system for your drinking water. Spa Buena Vista has the best water in all of Baja. We drink the water right from the tap and its delicious rich in minerals. Staying in touch is not a problem. Local phone service is readily available as is high-speed DSL Internet access that supports voice over IP phone service. Highway 1 runs the full length of the peninsula and since it’s completion in 1972 has been constantly upgraded. In the last year we saw the completion of bridges over all the large washes between Los Cabos and La Paz.

Los Barriles Mail:

Baja mail service is not reliable, the best method of getting your mail or a package is to use a very economical service where you send your mail to a location in San Diego and then it is transported by dedicated truck to Los Barriles.

Los Barriles Services:

Grocery shopping we have a medium-sized grocery store with most everything. In Cabo San Lucas
you will find Walmart and Costco and Home Depot. Dining options include everything from fish tacos under a shady palapa to gourmet Italian cuisine with linen table clothes. We have banks with English speaking help, two gas stations, the East Cape Medical Clinic, dentists, hardware store and veterinarian are just some of the services that make this an easy place to live. Gasoline is the same price through-out Mexico. Nov. 2012 (1) Gallon of Gas = $3.11 USD it is very stable, mexico exports oil and is oil and cash rich.

Los Barriles Relaxed Pace:

The pace of life is relaxed here. You can often stroll the beaches of Los Barriles without encountering a soul. No traffic jams, no traffic lights, no parking meters, no beach access fee. There are many opportunities for socializing and supporting worthy causes. “The Guild” provides scholarships to local students, Amigos de Animales sponsors clinics for local pets, and Univerde organizes regular Los Barriles clean-up days. We even have our own Rotary Club the rotary has hatched over 15,000 turtle eggs in an effort save the spicies.

Los Barriles Activities:

If you like the outdoors you’ll enjoy the easily accessible and safe beaches for swimming, snorkeling, or kayaking. As mentioned earlier, birding is popular as is hiking, exploring on ATV’s, mountain biking or horseback riding. Los Barriles is known for it's exceptional wind surfing and kite boarding conditions during the winter months it has the best wind conditions in North America. This attracts participants from all over the world and provides a nice stimulus to our economy. And, of course, you can take advantage of the world-class sports fishing and surf casting for which we are most famous.

Los Barriles Is Not For Everyone:

Los Barriles offers the perfect combination of beach, ocean, mountains, perfect weather and remoteness. This is a small town, drive down the road and everyone waves. Here you can find a comfortable home base for your Baja adventures or an elegant retreat for family and friends. It’s all here. You decide how far you want to leave the world behind. We can help you live the dream...

Los Barriles Phone Stuff:

In the past year, the phone system in Baja has gone through several changes. The conversion from 5 digit phone numbers to 7 digit numbers was initially very confusing but it brought the benefit of phone numbers that more closely resemble numbers in the USA.

If all you have is the old 5 digit number, take the last two digits of the old area code and put them in front of the 5 digit number to make the new 7 digit number. For example:
Old 5-digit number: (114) 12345 New 7-digit number: 141-2345

A new area code was established from Los Cabos (Cabo San Lucas and San Jose del Cabo) and Los Barriles.
It is 624 but if you are calling from within the same area code, you don't need it; simply dial the 7-digit number.
The area code for Todos Santos to La Paz is 612.

Cell phones

Cell phones are a slightly different animal. All cell phone calls require 10 digit dialing. To call from a cell phone to another cell phone within the same area code, dial the area code plus the 7 digit number (example: (624) 141-2345). If you are calling a cell phone from a land line within Mexico, you need to use the prefix 044 (example: 044-(624)-141-2345).

Long Distance

If you are calling to a different area code from within Mexico, simply dial 01 before the number (example: 01-612-141-2345.
If you are calling from a land line to a cell phone that is in a different area code, proceed the entire number with
the 044 prefix (example: 044-01-612-141-1234).

Calling from the US

To call from the US first dial 011 (indicating you are making an international call) 52 (the country code for Mexico) then the 10 digit number (example: 011-52-624-141-2345). If you are calling a cell phone in Mexico, you don't need the 044 prefix, just dial as if it were a land line.

"800" number dialing from within Mexico.

If you need to call a US toll free number while you are in Mexico, you'll need to make the following adjustments to the
number you wish to call:
To dial a 1-800 number, dial 001-880-the 7-digit number.
To dial a 1-888 number, dial 001-881-the 7-digit number.
To dial a 1-877 number, dial 001-882-the 7-digit number.
To dial a 1-866 number, dial 001-883-the 7-digit number.

Some of those numbers will not be toll free from here, and will incur regular long distance rates, but at least you will be able to get through. There should be a recording announcing if it is not toll free, and ask if you want to continue.
Have A Great Baja Day!